You may have heard about various world war war 2 concrete barges that were dotted about, there are 16 of these along the Thames in Rainham, however there is also a solo barge we read about that appeared to be beached in the middle of a field near a marina so we had to check it out 
- Credit to Beyond the Point who we first saw the information about it.
History:-
Dozens were constructed as part of the preparations for D-Day. Their hulls are formed from ferroconcrete — concrete reinforced with iron — a material that was relatively cheap to produce during wartime metal shortages. Despite appearances, they are lighter than the water they displace, and so can float.
The barges were designed to transport fuel to other craft engaged in the Normandy invasion. Unfortunately, they flunked their tests and probably never saw action.
Most of the concrete ships are long lost, but Rainham still harbours 16.
The Explore
So after Thomas woke me up extra early that morning to do the research, we checked out google maps for North Fambridge :-
- Credit to Beyond the Point who we first saw the information about it.History:-
Dozens were constructed as part of the preparations for D-Day. Their hulls are formed from ferroconcrete — concrete reinforced with iron — a material that was relatively cheap to produce during wartime metal shortages. Despite appearances, they are lighter than the water they displace, and so can float.
The barges were designed to transport fuel to other craft engaged in the Normandy invasion. Unfortunately, they flunked their tests and probably never saw action.
Most of the concrete ships are long lost, but Rainham still harbours 16.
The Explore
So after Thomas woke me up extra early that morning to do the research, we checked out google maps for North Fambridge :-
..and sure enough after looking in the area we spotted it from above.
Initially we parked at the Marina and started walking up and down to see if there was any easy way down... there wasn't
There was a barbed wire fence running along as far as the eye could see followed by a pretty steep drop onto marshy ground:-
It appears to be much smaller initially, until you get up close..
Thomas slowly sinking into the marsh..
Finding a way up...
Ahoy!
Inside was flooded
We would like to go back and get some drone footage, possibly and get some better photos so just a little report to cover something we didn't see covered yet
Thanks for looking
Austin
Thanks for looking
Austin
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